Gleisbergbruch - National Geotope

The red Rochlitz porphyry tuff has been quarried at Rochlitz Mountain since the Middle Ages. This popular building stone was used throughout Germany. In the 1920s, the then quarry owner, Gleisberg, modernized the operation, installing equipment such as diamond circular saws, grinding machines, and cranes. The rate of extraction between 1928 and 1947 can still be seen today in the engraved dates. As early as 1928, a quarry depth of 60 meters was reached. Work at this depth had to be stopped because the dust generated during the quarrying could not dissipate and posed a health hazard to the workers.

The blacksmith's shop and the social building still stand on the site today; the social building was newly opened in 2014 as the "Geoportal Porphyrhaus" - as a visitor and event center in the National Geopark Porphyrland and offers various geotourism services.

Above the quarry is a platform offering a breathtaking view into the quarry. On the lower platform, a cutting machine, used until the 1980s, has been installed.

The Gleisberg quarry is station 12 on the audio time travel tour "Porphyry Trail To Go"Simply scan the QR code on site and start the audio story - or here already listening.